Racha Island

Racha Island (Koh Racha Yai) is a small paradise 20 km south of Phuket, famous among locals for the clearest water of any nearby island and for a beach so calm it's a favourite of families with small children. The main bay, Ao Tawan Tok, is a long arc of soft white sand with coral reef starting a few metres offshore — beginners can walk into the water and be snorkelling over fish within the minute. The early-bird tours from Phuket arrive before 9 AM, giving you an hour of the island to yourself before the main wave of day-trippers. There's a small resort, a handful of beach cafés and almost no development — Racha is where we send guests who want 'private island vibes' without the long travel time.